Traffic

Headquarters

TITLE: SAFE PRACTICES ON THE ROAD

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Introduction
• It is important as drivers that we practice safe driving. Safety is one of the most
essential factors that one should look at while driving a vehicle. When it comes to
driving a vehicle, one could either be a good driver or someone who can’t drive. There
is no in-between status for a driver. Now-a-days it’s becoming more and more
common for road accidents to take up the headline space in our daily newspaper.
Many people lose their lives in road accidents.
• One should pay full attention while driving a vehicle and completely avoid any
distractions. It is also the owner’s responsibility to keep his vehicle in the best
condition so as to avoid any accident while driving on road. While driving a vehicle
the responsibility for ones life and the life of others rests with the driver of the vehicle.
• There are all types of drivers on the road, from teenagers to the elderly. Everyone on
the road is supposed to be licensed. Unfortunately, a driver’s license does not always
ensure common sense and responsibility on the road. Safe driving is crucial because
things can happen behind the wheel in a fraction of second.
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Aim
• This Presentation seeks to inform participants about Safe Driving
Practices.

OBJECTIVE
• To understand concepts of Defensive Driving.
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Accident Figures in Guyana For Year 2022

2022
425
375
325
275
225
175
125
75
25
Fatal Serious Minor Damage
2022 54 152 214 392
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How accidents affect an Organization?

Lost Work
Days

Cost of
Injuries
$$$
Higher Impact on
Insurance Employee
Premiums & Family
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SERIOUS CULPABLE BEHAVIOR OF DRIVERS

1. Aggressive driving such as driving too close to vehicle in front, persistent
inappropriate attempts to overtake, or cutting in after overtaking.
2. Driving while using a head-held mobile phone.
3. Driving while the driver attention is distracted, for example by reading or
adjusting the control of electronic equipment such as radio or C/D
player.
4. Driving under the influence of Alcohol/ Drugs
5. Drowsy Driving
6. Exceeding the specified speed limit.
7. Driving a poorly maintained or dangerously loaded motor vehicles
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Definition of a Good Driver

•A good driver is one who always drives in such a manner, that no matter
what condition he may be confronted with and from whatever source,
whether arising from unsafe behavior of other road users or from the state of
the road, weather or vehicle, no action or lack of action on his/ her part will
contribute in any degree to the development of an accident situation.
•It is the responsibility of every driver when driving a vehicle on a road to
ensure that he sits in such a position that he can have full control over his
vehicle, have a full view of the road and traffic ahead, therefore he must
ensure that his vehicle is properly maintain with all parts and accessories in
working order, along with his driver’s licence, vehicle insurance, fitness and
revenue licence also enforce.
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DEFENSIVE DRIVING
• Defensive Driving- is driving to save lives and money in spite of the
condition around him and action of others.
Basic ideas of Defensive Driving
1. Saving lives- a defensive driver first concern is saving of lives by
avoiding fatal collisions. This means know how to avoid them.
2. Time lost- a defensive driver would try to avoid time lost because
accident takes away valuable time either time lost in repairing a
vehicle or from recuperating from serious injuries.
3. Money-the collision cost money through vehicle repairs, hospital
bills or prosecution.
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DEFENSIVE DRIVING …
• Defensive Driving is driving to prevent accident in spite of incorrect
action of others or adverse conditions. Defensive Driving therefore,
relates to the attitude of a driver who is driving his vehicle, allows for the
lack of skills or unpredictable actions of other drivers, pedestrians,
animals etc.
• A Defensive Driver is one who recognize that he has no control over
drivers, pedestrians, animals, road condition or the weather because of
this he deliberately develop techniques to minimize or eliminate if
possible the effect to those hazards.
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GUIDELINES TO ASSIST DRIVERS IN DEVELOPING THE

TECHNIQUES TO DEAL WITH THOSE SITUATIONS

1. Speeding – it is encumbrance upon every driver to make sure he

drives at a speed that afford him absolute control of his vehicle.
2. Traffic, Weight, Weather and Road Condition- these all have a
great effect on the speed at which one should drive, the maximum
speed permissible by law should not be consider as a rate at which
one should drive rather at the speed that one should not exceed.
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Traffic
• At certain times of the day traffic congestion can cause hazards.
The most congested times are the morning and afternoon rush
hours. Remember, at times of heavy traffic be aware of other
drivers and be prepared for unexpected events.
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Weight
• You will need to understand factors that affect vehicle dynamics. Weight
distribution has a significant effect on vehicle handling. When a vehicle is
in motion and going straight, an even amount of weight is present at all
wheels. During braking, weight will transfer forward at the nose of the
vehicle dips. During acceleration, weight will shift to the rear tires as the
rear of the car lowers or the front rises.
• Weight management of the vehicle will determine how much the vehicles
vertical load will affect the contact patch of the tires. The contact patch is
the area of the tire that actually is on the road at any particular time.
Weight management and the contact patch of each tire will have a direct
bearing on the stability of the vehicle.
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Weather
• Weather condition can affect your ability to see and be seen, Rain and fog can
make roads slick and can frequently obscure lane markings, road edges and
traffic signs. In inclement weather, slow down and put on your low beams. If
weather condition dictates the need for windshield wipers, it’s a good idea to
turn on your lights too.
• On wet or oily roads it’s possible for your vehicle to hydroplane. Hydroplaning
occurs when the tread of your tyres is not in full contact with the road.
• The tyres glide on a layer of water oil and this can reduce your ability to control
vehicle to avoid hydroplaning, slow down the minute it starts to rain or to fog
and increase your following distance from the vehicle ahead of you.
• In fog drive with your low beams on, high beams shine directly into the fog and
reflect off the condensed water particles back into your eyes.
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Road Condition
• Road conditions can also affect the way in which we drive. As you drive,
check the shape of the road. On curvy or hilly roads, your ability to
recognize hazards is reduced. Slow down and stay alert. Check the
surface of the road. There are many different road surfaces and textures
and your vehicle will react to a situation and your control of the vehicle.
• Also, check the shoulder of the road. You need to determine whether the
shoulder is safe to drive on in case of emergency. When driving on a
road under repair be alert for construction workers, unclear lane
marking, lower speed limits, and barricades that have been moved or
removed inadvertently.
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Vehicle
• Of all the conditions, we only have control of two, vehicle and
driver. It is your responsibility to make sure your vehicle is in
proper working condition. Regularly check all parts of your
vehicle. If you are unable to do so yourself, have knowledgeable
person check for you, in this country we have vehicle inspection
laws. You are responsible for your vehicle. A vehicle in good
working condition is a reasonable option you have to insure your
safety.
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Night Driving
• Night Driving- it is important for a driver to drive within his
lightening, also that the vehicle is equipped with the correct lights
on in keeping with the laws and obey the hours of darkness.
1st February-30th September 18:15hrs to 5:30hrs
1st October – 31st January 17:45hrs to 5:30hrs
• Note: if blinded by oncoming headlamps if is safe to pull to the left
or near side of the road and wait on till it is safe to continue .
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Good Judgment

3. Good Judgment- this must prevail at all times, it is important to

note that a moving vehicle cannot achieve a dead stop on
application of the brakes. A driver must able to think, apply
brakes and stop on the event of any danger ahead.
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FACTORS WHEN NECESSARY TO STOP A VEHICLE

• Perception- this is realizing that a situation exist which demands
that the vehicle should be stopped.
• Reaction- acting upon the decision to stop the vehicle that is
applying brakes.
• Braking Distance- which is the distance the vehicle travel before if
comes to a stop.
Note: Always remember that braking distance increase with the
load of the vehicle, speed and when vehicle is travelling downhill.
• Danger Distance- is distance between the vehicles e.g.
▫ 20 mph-2 vehicle apart
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SKILLS OF DEFENSIVE DRIVING

1. Knowing how to handle the vehicle.
2. The application and observance of the rules of the road and traffic
laws.
3. The properly timing of maneuvers to avoid conflict and accident.
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5 ‘C’ in defensive driving:

▫ Care- having concern for other road users.

▫ Caution- while driving you have to be cautious and be on the alert.
▫ Courtesy- be polite and respectful to other road users
▫ Consideration- be thoughtful of other person using the road,
evaluating the situation
▫ Common Sense- use of your knowledge and putting into practice.
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RULES OF DEFENSIVE DRIVING

1. Be prepared
2. Maintain adequate distance from the vehicle in front
3. Maintain a clear field vision
4. Communicate
5. Knowing your vehicle
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Be prepared
• A driver must always be prepared to act swiftly and decisively
when the occasion arises in other words, he must be prepared for
any emergency remembering, always to communicate his
intention to other users of the road.
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Maintain adequate distance from the vehicle infront

• Never drive too close to the vehicle in front of you. The reason for
this precaution is that your vision impaired not being able to see
beyond the vehicle in front of you, you are unable to anticipate
actions of the driver of the vehicle in front of you. A sudden stop
or swerve will surprise and cause complication and you will not
have enough time to signal your intention to stop.
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Maintain a clear field of vision

• This deals with the safe driving distance between two vehicles also
having a general all around vision of the vehicle. Always maintain
a clear vision, don’t let your vehicle go head of your eyes because
when your eyes caught up it may be too late to avoid an accident.
Keep your eye moving. ( don’t stare)
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Communication
• Good and safe driver use his light signal, hand signal, horn and
road position to indicate to other road users his intention.

Knowing Your Vehicle

• A experience driver must have a sound knowledge of his vehicle.
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Drivers Responsibilities
• Daily checks/ Circular checks and observation- checking brake,
oil, filter water levels, tyres, head lamps and documents to ensure
that they are intact.
• Writing up of Logbooks.
• Writing up of vehicle handover forms.
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Definition of Accident & types of accident

• Traffic Accident- is a rare random multi-factor of events in which
one or more road users fail to cope with his or her environment
resulting in collision or collisions.

• Types
▫ Fatal
▫ Serious
▫ Minor
▫ Damage
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Accidents
1. Render first aid to those who receive injuries
2. Stop at accident scene
3. Report the matter to the police (24 hours)
4. Production of documents ( Driver License, Fitness, Insurance,
Revenue License)
5. Subject to a breathalyzer test
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Causes and Prevention of Accidents

• Driving under the influence of alcohol
• Use of cellphone while driving
• Error of Judgment
• Blinded by approaching headlamps
• Stopping at pedestrian crossing
• 10-2 position
• Observing rules of the road
• Speeding
• Lack of care at road junction
• Pre-checks on vehicles (tyres, windscreen)
• Overtaking properly
• Tailgating
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DRIVERS OF SERVICE VEHICLES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES

• Emergency vehicle an approved police vehicle means any vehicle

carrying a lamp showing to the front an amber light and sounding
continuously a bell, gong or siren.
• “vehicle of the Fire Service” means any engine, pump, trailer or other
vehicle of the Guyana Fire Service and includes any vehicle carrying a
lamp showing to the front an amber light and sounding continuously a
bell, gong or siren, in which any member of the Guyana Fire Service is
being conveyed to any fire or suspect fire.
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DRIVERS OF SERVICE VEHICLES AND EMERGENCY

VEHICLES…
• NOTE :Member of the emergency services does not enjoy and
special exemption from prosecution when responding to
emergency call. They owe the same duty of care as a member of
the public. Must take into consideration the nature of the
emergency.
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Conclusion
• Driver practicing safe driving can be able to safe lives and prevent
damage to properties and in doing so he must be able to obey the
five ‘C’ most important ‘Courtesy’ to other road users and if so he
can be able to avoid fatal accidents and injuries to other road
users. It is important for all driver to practice safe driving in
keeping with international standards in driving of vehicle on the
road.
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• The End

I promise to obey all traffic rules!!!!